Look, the NBA scoring list isn't just a bunch of numbers. It’s a living, breathing history of how the game has changed. For decades, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record seemed like a mountain nobody could climb. Then LeBron James showed up. Honestly, watching him rewrite the record books feels a bit surreal, like we're watching a video game character in real life.
As of January 2026, the top ten all time NBA scorers list has seen more movement in the last few months than it did in the previous twenty years. We've got active legends like Kevin Durant and James Harden literally hopping over Hall of Famers while we're eating dinner on a Tuesday.
The King's New Frontier: LeBron James at 42,000+
LeBron James didn't just break the record; he's trying to put it out of reach for a century. On January 14, 2026, reports confirmed he's now sitting at 42,654 career points. That’s wild. Think about that for a second. He turned 41 a few weeks ago, and he’s still putting up 20+ a night for the Lakers.
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Most people focus on the total, but the real story is the longevity. LeBron has been elite for 23 seasons. Basically, he’s been a top-tier NBA player for longer than some of his teammates have been alive. He recently crossed the 50,000 mark if you count playoffs and other official play, which is just... mind-blowing.
The Shifting Top Ten All Time NBA Scorers
If you haven't checked the standings lately, you might be surprised who’s moved. Kevin Durant is the big one. Just last week, KD (now with the Houston Rockets) drained a three-pointer against Portland to officially pass Wilt Chamberlain.
The Current Leaderboard (Regular Season)
- LeBron James: 42,654 points
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 points
- Karl Malone: 36,928 points
- Kobe Bryant: 33,643 points
- Michael Jordan: 32,292 points
- Dirk Nowitzki: 31,560 points
- Kevin Durant: 31,486 points (and climbing fast)
- Wilt Chamberlain: 31,419 points
- James Harden: 28,636 points
- Shaquille O'Neal: 28,596 points
James Harden is the newest member of the elite "Top 9" club. On January 12, 2026, he passed Shaq. It’s kinda funny when you think about it—a guy known for "The Stepback" passing the most dominant physical force the league has ever seen. Harden did it with a three-pointer against the Hornets. He’s currently averaging about 25.8 points for the Clippers this season, proving he’s still got plenty of gas in the tank.
Why the "Pure Scorer" Debate Still Matters
People love to argue about Michael Jordan vs. LeBron. It’s the eternal barber shop debate. Jordan "only" has 32,292 points, putting him at 5th. But you’ve gotta remember: MJ retired twice. If he hadn't gone to play baseball or taken those years off before the Wizards era, he might be at 45,000.
Jordan’s career average is still a staggering 30.1 points per game. Wilt is right there with him at 30.07. LeBron is closer to 27.
Then there’s Kevin Durant. Many scouts and former players, like Danny Green, argue KD is the "purest" scorer ever. He’s nearly 7 feet tall with the handles of a point guard. He just passed Wilt, and honestly, Dirk Nowitzki (31,560) is his next target. At his current pace of 26.1 points per game, Durant should pass Dirk in about a week. After that? Michael Jordan is only about 800 points away. We could see KD hit the top 5 by the end of this season.
The "Big Wilt" Problem
Wilt Chamberlain’s 31,419 points feel "low" compared to LeBron, but context is everything. Wilt did that in only 1,045 games. For comparison, LeBron has played over 1,580. If Wilt had the sports medicine we have today, or if he hadn't decided to focus on assists for a few seasons just to prove he could, his total would be untouchable.
He once averaged 50.4 points in a single season. 50! Today, if a guy scores 50 once, it’s the lead story on SportsCenter. Wilt did it as an average.
What’s Next for the Record Books?
James Harden is now in 9th, but catching Wilt at 8th is going to be a grind. He’s about 2,800 points behind. At 36 years old, Harden would need another two healthy seasons at a high level to move up.
And then there’s the guys coming up. Luka Dončić is currently a scoring machine, recently topping the All-Star voting for 2026. While he’s only at about 14,000 points right now, his per-game average is through the roof. If he stays healthy for 20 years like LeBron, the top ten all time NBA scorers list will look completely different by 2040.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking these milestones, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Rockets schedule: Kevin Durant is on the verge of passing Dirk Nowitzki. If he stays healthy, he'll likely pass Michael Jordan before the 2026 playoffs begin.
- Don't ignore the "Active" list: Stephen Curry (26,257) and DeMar DeRozan (26,077) are both charging toward the top 20. Curry just passed Kevin Garnett and is eyeing Jerry West.
- Use per-game context: Total points reward longevity, but PPG (Points Per Game) shows peak dominance. Keep an eye on Luka Dončić and Joel Embiid—they are currently climbing the all-time PPG leaderboards faster than anyone in history.
- Monitor the Clippers: James Harden’s move to 9th place is official, but his lead over Shaq is slim. Every bucket he gets now is just padding his legacy against the next generation of scorers like Giannis, who is currently sitting around 21,000 points.
The record books aren't closed. They’re being written every night at 7:00 PM EST.